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JJ Wilson

Embattled former City of Bertram police chief J.J. Wilson has agreed to reimburse the city for a $1,000 deductible to acquire a new police cruiser that he's been charged with crashing in October.

Wilson and the city also reached a separation agreement, officially ending his employment with the northeastern Burnet County town's police department and stating other conditions by which he's expected to abide.

As per the separation agreement, Wilson has agreed to accept a separation designation of general discharge. This is one step below an honorable discharge.

Wilson had been on unpaid leave, following Oct. 2 grand jury indictments for felony perjury and misemeanor official oppression charges (for which he was released from the Burnet County Jail on a $1,500 surety bond).

Right: Richard Zowie/Burnet Bulletin
Interim police chief Talbert Booth presents a wish list to the City Council for projects that he would like funded at the Nov. 13 meeting.

By Richard Zowie

Staff Writer

Burnet Bulletin

JJ Wilson's days as a police chief at the Bertram Police Department are over, and while he and the city negotiate an agreement ending his contract, the Bertram City Council at its Nov. 13 meeting extended his unpaid suspension.

Both the police and utility departments also submitted “wish lists” of items they'd like to acquire, should the city be able to secure a $300,000 loan.

Chief's suspension continued

Bertram City Council members at their meeting authorized the beginning of the process to hire a new police chief.

City Secretary Georgina Hernandez said she did not know how long it would take to hire a new chief, as it requires background checks and interviews.

The new chief will replace James Jay (“JJ”) Wilson. The council also authorized to extend Wilson's suspension without pay up through Dec. 27.

A biological, non-custodial mother who abducted her children from Bertram Elementary School faces felony charges in Burnet County after her May 22 arrest.

Tekecha Milena Quinonce, 29, turned herself into the Houston Police Department and is expected to be returned to Burnet County to face a charge of interfering with child custody, a state jail felony punishable by up to two years in a state jail if convicted.

Bertram Police Chief J.J. Wilson said a court order was in place forbidding Quinonce from taking custody of her three children — 9-year-old Taniya Chatman, 8-year-old Brock Chatman and 7-year-old Teanna Chatman.